Trump Administration Encourages States to End Mercury-Containing Dental Fillings

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a notification urging every State Medicaid Director to phase out the use of mercury-containing dental fillings by restricting or ending their respective state's Medicaid coverage for dental procedure codes for "dental amalgams." Dental amalgams are a material that combines mercury with other heavy metals to fill cavities but pose health and environmental risks.

"Mercury has no place in the mouths of our children or in modern American health care," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "For decades, we have relied on a material that contains one of the world's most toxic heavy metals when safe, effective mercury-free alternatives are widely available. The Make America Healthy Again agenda means confronting outdated practices that needlessly expose Americans to toxic substances. Taxpayer dollars should support the safest care available-not yesterday's materials. It's time to turn the page on dental amalgam and help every state move toward safer, mercury-free care."

"Americans should feel confident that the health care they receive is always working in their best interest," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "That's why we're urging state Medicaid programs to end the use of mercury-containing dental fillings. This is a straightforward and meaningful step that reflects our shared commitment to safe, higher quality care for all Americans and supports the Trump Administration's broader goal to Make America Healthy Again."

The notifications, sent via email, reminded State Medicaid directors of a "a February decision by the Indian Health Service to end the use of mercury-containing dental amalgam in its facilities by 2027."

"This reflects growing environmental and health concerns regarding mercury exposure, along with global efforts to reduce the use of mercury-containing materials," the notification added.

Evidence has shown that mercury exposure from dental amalgam could pose elevated health risks to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and their babies, women trying to become pregnant, children under the age of six, people with neurological diseases or impaired kidney function, and other groups.

"State Medicaid programs should consider restricting or ending coverage for dental procedure codes related to dental amalgam (D2140-D2161), or incentivizing providers to use procedure codes for resin-based composite filling materials (e.g., D2330-D2394)," the notification said. "Because State Plans do not typically include this level of detail, a state plan amendment is likely not necessary to effectuate this type of policy change."

The notifications also reminded states that the U.S. "is a party to the international Minamata Convention on mercury, and as of November 2025, there is a commitment among parties to the Convention to phase out the use of dental amalgam by 2034."

Under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy, HHS is taking decisive action to reform America's food, health, and scientific systems to Make America Healthy Again. Advancing mercury-free medical interventions is a cornerstone of the MAHA Agenda.